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Class rfilS Cj 
Book_ __ 



ISSUED BY THE 



Mecca Promotion Committee 



OF 
MECCA. CAL 




OFFICERS: 

C. BRAUCKMAN, President 

C. R. HARRIS. Vice-President 

H.1J. ROGERS. Secretary-Treasurer 



^.O-coni^ 



* * * * "None other than this long brown land 
lays such a hold on the affections. The rainbow hills, 
the tender bluish mists, the luminous radiance of the 
spring, have lotus charm. They trick the sense of time, 
so that once inhabiting there you always mean to go 
away without quite realizing that you have not done it. 

* * * * p of one m i n g there is the divinest, cleanest 
air to be breathed anywhere in God's world. Some 
day the world will understand that, and the little oasis 

* * * will harbor for healing its ailing, house- 
weary broods." 

—"A Land of Little "Rain" by Mary Austin. 



BAUMGARDT PUBLISHING CO. 
LOS ANGELES 



"Gardens Beneath which Rivers Flow" 

Mecca of California, is in Riverside County, on the main 
line of the Southern Pacific Railroad, 144 miles east of 
Los Angeles, and 106 miles west of Yuma. 

For more than half a hundred years, Mecca was known 
as Walters. Before the war and even before the times 
of '49, it was important as the oasis in the Colorado De- 
sert on the trail followed by the Spanish fathers and other 
pioneers who travelled coastward from Mexico and Ari- 
zona. It was important then as the one place where 
abundant water was to be had from shallow wells. 
Before the construction of the Southern Pacific Railroad, 
it was one of the overland stage stations, and the original 
adobe building erected for the accommodation of the 
forty-niners still stands. 




Old Adobe Stage Station at Mecca 
3 



Thousands who have journeyed westward in recent 
years will remember Mecca as the first station after 
leaving Yuma, where the verdure of the fine group of old 
cottonwoods and palms gave rest to the eye. These were 
grown by using the surplus water pumped from the shallow 
wells which were dug "by the Railroad Company, and for 
many miles these trees can he seen across the wide stretch 
of arid plain, which on the government maps is described 
as the Coahuilla Valley, now more frequently referred to 
as the Coachella Valley, and being the North-western 
corner of the great balton Sink. 




Railroad Water Train Being Loaded at Mecca 



For years it has been a shipping point of importance 
for mining supplies, being the nearest railroad station 
to the Virginia Dale, Iron Chief, Cottonwood and other 
mining districts. Otherwise, it received small considera- 
tion in the minds of those who passed it, except railroad 



officials and employees. The discovery of artesian water 
here by the railroad company resulted in Mecca "becoming 
a great water station on the rim of the Colorado Desert, 
and all trains stop here. Besides, a system of pipe-lines 
and side tracks capable of filling twenty railroad water 
cars at a time, was put in, and water trains are regularly 
run East to supply all the railroad trains and the people 
of the desert living between Mecca and Yuma. 

The introduction of the hydraulic well-boring system, 
which greatly reduced the cost of boring deep wells, led 
to the rush for government claims, and all government 
land which lies within the artesian belt has been entered 
upon, but in the majority of cases by speculators, or those 
who have not the means to put down the wells and make 
the preliminary improvements necessary before cultiva- 
tion can begin. However, there are now within six miles 
of Mecca several hundreds of acres cultivated to alfalfa, 
barley, early vegetables, cantaloupes, water-melons, aspar- 
agus, grapes, figs, dates and other fruits and vegetables. 
These lands are all watered from the finest artesian wells 
in the State of California. They flow constantly from 
ten to sixty miners' inches and under pressure which in 
some instances exceeds thirty pounds to the square inch. 
These wells and cultivated areas are scattered over a 
stretch of country comprising from forty to fifty thousand 
acres, and are as yet but mere dots in the great expanse 
of original sage brush and desert-like country. Not all 
of this land is good, but there are well defined mesas, 
where the quality of soil and abundance of water gives 
ASSURANCE OF GREATER PROFIT IN THE CUL- 
TIVATION OF THE SOIL than is offered in 
any other section of the United States. Herein 
is an analysis of the soil taken from the tract of 
land granted to the United States Department of Agricul- 
ture for experiment station purposes by the Mecca Land 
Company, and also analysis of wells in that vicinity 
which shows absence of saline properties in a remarkable 
degree. The Southern Pacific Railroad analysis of all the 

5 



water used in their locomotives between New Orleans and 
Portland, proves their well at Mecca to have the "best 
and purest water on the entire system. 

On about 360 days out of the year this valley is flooded 
with sunshine, and the spring season is evidenced in Feb- 
ruary by the cottonwoods and other deciduous trees com- 
ing into leaf. AS A CONSEQUENCE ALL VEGETA- 
BLES, FRUITS AND OTHER PRODUCTS OF THE 
SOIL MATURE FROM SIX TO EIGHT WEEKS 
EARLIER THAN IN ANY OTHER SECTION OF THE 
UNITED STATES. 

As will be readily seen, this is of prime importance to 
the grower, as the early products command high, and often, 
fancy prices. Los Angeles and San Francisco are large 
buyers of this class of produce, and also Colorado points 
Chicago and other Eastern cities. 
SOILS. Through the lowest part of the valley the soil is a 
heavy loam, and in places carries considerable salt. Such 
land will require careful treatment and irrigation. 
Fortunately, these lands, which lie south of the railroad 




Mesa Land near Mecca 



at Mecca, have good drainage, and the wells already 
developed, flow generous quantities of pure water. These 
lands can be washed and handled to good advantage for 
the cultivation of the more resistant crops. 

6 



University of California 
college of agriculture 

Bbrkilet, California 



AGRICULTURAL EXPERIMENTAL 

STATION 

C. W. HILGARD. DIRECTOR 



CONTENTS OF 

Soil From The Date Garden 

Near Mecca, California 

ANALYSIS BY R. H. L,OUGHRIDGE 
April 2, 1904 



Percentage of Salts 


Pounds Per Acre 




Sulfate 


Car- Chlo- 
bonates rids 


Total 


Sul- 
phates 


Car- Chlo- 
bonates rids 


Total 


1st ft. 
2d ft. 
3d ft. 
4th ft. 
5th ft. 
6th ft. 

Total, 


.007 
.007 
.036 
.016 
.025 
.044 

.023 


.007 
.003 

loos 

.007 
.007 

.004 


!609 
.'6<)5 
.002 


.014 
.010 
.036 
.030 
.032 
.056 

.029 


280 

280 

1440 

640 

1000 

1760 

5400 


280 
120 

'200 
280 
280 

1160 


'360 

'266 
560 


0560 
0400 
1440 
1200 
1280 
2240 

7120 



At Mecca there is sufficient fall to all of the land to 
insure good drainage towards the Salton Basin. 

East and West of Mecca, and parallel with the Railroad 
on the Northerly side, lies an incomparable stretch of 
mesa land, of sandy loam, free from salt, and proven by 
numerous wells to have an abundant supply of water. 
These higher lands are admirably adapted for the cultiva- 
tion of all kinds of cereals, fruits, vegetables and alfalfa. 

The mesa land is covered with desert sage-brush and 
occasionally a few mesquite trees. In the lower land 
the arrow-weed and mesquite cover the country. The 







rtN* 



Artesian Well on C. B. Smith's Place 



sage-brush on the higher land is very brittle and the land 
can be cleared and prepared for irrigation at very little 
expense, and is soon ready for water and crops. On the 
lower land the growth of mesquite is cleared by Indians 

8 



for the fire wood obtained, and they will clear land of 
arrow-weed at a cost of about two dollars per acre. 

This sage-brush and mesquite is a great harbor for 
quail and doves and no better shooting can be had in 
California than in this vicinity. 
WATER SUPPLY. The artesian belt extends from above Indio 
to Mortmere, a distance of about twenty miles and is from 
four to six miles wide. The artesian water bearing strata 
at Mecca is encountered at a depth of from 450 to 550 
feet, and wells of four and a half inch diameter (inside) 
can be bored and cased complete at a cost of $1.00 per 
foot. At Indio, which is twenty-two feet below sea level, 
the artesian wells barely flow. Mecca is 197 feet below, 
and at this lower level, the wells flow from 10 to 60 miners 
inches, and under strong pressure. EACH FARM 
HAS ITS OWN WATER SYSTEM in this neigh- 
borhood, and every owner of such a supply is 




Stack of Alfalfa Hay cut from 10 acres, Eight Months 
After Planting 

9 



University of California 
college of agriculture 

Herkklev, California 



AGRICULTURAL EXPERIMENT 

STATION 

E. W. HILGARO, DIRECTOR 



March 28, 1904 



ANALYSIS OF WATERS 

FROM 

Flowing Wells Near Mecca, Riverside 
County, California 

SAMPLES FURNISHED BY A. V. STUBENRAUCH, 
BERKELEY, CALIFORNIA 



GRAINS PER GALLON 



Well at 


R.R.Co's 


Well 


Date 


Well 


on 


Garden 


Mecca 


Sec. 22 



School- 
house 
Well at 
Mecca 



Potasium Sulfate, very small, 
and Sodium Sulfate ( Glau- 
ber's salt), etc 

Sodium Chlorid (common salt) 

Sodium Carbonate ( sal soda ) 

Calcium and Magnesia Car- 
bonates, etc., small, Calcium 
Sulfate (gypsum) small, Sil- 
ica chiefly 

Organic Matter (a trace 
in all) and chem. combined 
water 

Total 



? 2.37 


3.70 


3.98 


1.35 


.68 


.51 


1.23 


.86 


3.09 


) 

H.08 


3.49 


3.49 


J 






I .68 


.87 


.58 


9.61 


9.60 


11.65 



4.05 

.51 

1.85 

2.33 

1.45 
10.19 



These results show that all these waters are excellent. 
for domestic and irrigation purposes. 

(Signed:) G. E. COLBY. 
10 



safe from annoyance by water company superin- 
tendents, ditch tenders, assessments, litigation, and 
vexation of spirit. Surface water is to be had at from 
four feet to eighteen or twenty feet. Water bearing strata 
of sand were encountered in the railroad well at Mecca at 
forty-nine feet, and ninety feet, but water at these levels 
would have to be pumped. This well is 481 feet deep and 
has continued to flow over 8,000 gallons per hour since 
August, 1896, when it was drilled. 

CROPS. BARLEY is the first crop generally sown; frequently 
from three to four tons of hay to the acre are produced. 
Seed should be sown in September, October, or November, 
and the earlier the better. 

ALFALFA is the most staple and profitable crop grown 
in the Western States and here, in the Coachella 








Baled Alfalfa Hay Ready for Market at Mecca 

Valley, it is at its best. From eight to ten crops 
are cut every year. The season extends from 
March to the end of December. These fields are 
producing from ten to fifteen tons per acre in the first year 
after planting. This land can be cleared of brush, and 

11 



made ready for alfalfa seeding usually at a cost of from 
$5.00 to $7.00 per acre, some being more easily leveled 
than others. It is all of a nature to permit of easy 
plowing and leveling. 

CORN of all kinds matures here, and Kaffir and Egyp- 
tian corn are staple crops. Indian corn is sown in 
early winter and produces fine roasting ears for the June 
market, hut it is at its best when sown in August or 
September when mature corn is desired. 

MELONS. No culture so far has proven more satis- 
factory and profitable in the Coachella Valley than 
the growing of melons for the early market. 
They prove attractive because they will mature 
on virgin soil, and the new settler is always 
looking for a quick return. Land which has been cleared 
in January, ploughed in February, and seeded in March, 
has returned from $100 to $200 per acre in June and 
July. This season (1904) the first shipment of melons 
went forward on May 20th. On the townsite of Mecca, 
an acre and one-eighth of melons, last year which received 
particular care, produced $636.42 worth of melons after 
payment for seed planted, crates and wrappers. A patch 
of five acres this year, near Mecca, produced over 220 
crates of melons to the acre, and will net the grower over 
$225 per acre. 

On Mr. Todd's patch of 11 acres, according to the 
Riverside Press of July 26th, there was raised over 2,600 
crates of cantaloupes. The earliest of these sold at Chi- 
cago for 50 cents apiece or $24.00 per crate. Besides he 
has over 100 head of hogs which are being fattened on 
alfalfa and cull melons. 

Last year 240 acres were planted to cantaloupes 
in the entire Coachella Valley, and the average 
net return to the growers was $140.94 per acre. 
This, of course, means that many of the best 
patches will net from $200 to $300 per acre. 
Over 800 acres were planted this season. A better average 
yield is expected, as more of the land has been under 
cultivation for one or two seasons. 

12 




Views Taken at Mecca During- the Melon feeason of 1904 



13 



ASPARAGUS. A great danger threatens the asparagus indus- 
try in the United States, from the plant disease 
known as "Asparagus Rust." The leading growers, 
canners and handlers of asparagus guaranteed the Univer- 
sity of California the sum of $2,500, for the purpose of 
carrying on an investigation. This work is not completed, 
hut on January 4, 1904, the University of California issued 
Circular No. 9, "Report on Asparagus Rust Investiga- 
tion, ' ' and on page 7 of the report is the following assur- 
ance that this valley has a great future before it for this 
vegetable: 

"In this State it is well-known that great differences 
occur as to summer dews, from regions where they are 
frequent and heavy, to those where there is absolutely 
none, a condition not even approximated in the East. In 
observing asparagus rust about the State the fact has 
been positively established, that THE AMOUNT OF RUST 
VARIES DIRECTLY AND EXACTLY WITH THE 
AMOUNT OF DEW, AND THAT SO LONG AS THERE 
IS LITTLE OR NO DEW, THERE CAN BE NO RUST. 
As applied to those regions where practically no dew 
whatever occurs in summer, this means that asparagus 
can be grown there with no danger of the disease. In 
the dry country about Fresno, for instance, several small 




Seven-acre Asparagus Bed near Mecca 



14 



patches of asparagus are growing, free from rust, while 
in a river bottom near by, where moisture is plenty, the 
disease is at its worst. The freedom from rust occurs 
IN SMALL ASPARAGUS FIELDS IN THE COACHEL- 
LA VALLEY near Indio, while at Riverside and all over 
Southwestern California rust abounds." 

There are now two patches of asparagus near Mecca, 
one of nearly twenty acres, and the other of six acres. 
Seed beds are established from which a number of acres 
will be planted next year. From the returns already 
received on the old beds of the valley, it has beenj 
demonstrated without question that this crop will return 
not less than $200 per acre after the plants are three 
years old, and no doubt this figure will be raised as the 
beds grow older. 

SWEET POTATOES. Sweet potatoes are ready for shipment 
early in July and have brought as high as thirty cents per 
pound when first marketed. They can be left in the 
ground till wanted as they keep perfectly after irrigation 
ceases, there being no dampness in either the soil or 
atmosphere. Hence they are always held for good prices 
which are certain to come sometime in the year. 

The sweet potatoes grown in the Coachella Valley are 
of fine texture, very dry and mealy, have bright, clean 
skins and an unusual keeping quality. 

DAIRY PRODUCTS. So far there has been a good market for 
nearly all the alfalfa raised in this valley on account of 
the new settlers continually coming in to take up and 
improve new lands, but eventually there is going to be 
a very large acreage of alfalfa in the valley which will 
be devoted to dairying. Within a year or two, many of 
the farmers will have herds of dairy cattle on their farms. 
They will be assured of an abundance of fresh, green 
alfalfa pasture every month in the year. No such condi- 
tion prevails elsewhere except in this portion of the state 
of California. 



15 



LIVE STOCK. The possibilities of this Valley are found in 
the fine alfalfa fields and the condition of the stock in 
them. So far, there has been more attention paid to 
hogs than to any other of the domestic animals, and one 
must see the fields filled with sleek, plump porkers to 
know what is being done. With abundance of alfalfa 
and Indian or Kaffir corn, it is EASY to make tlhe best 
pork in the world, and make it cheap. 




Hogs and Alfalfa 



VEGETABLES. A few of the farmers in the valley who have 
had some experience in truck gardening have received 
exceptional returns for many varieties of early vegeta- 
bles. In April of this year, string beans, tomatoes, new 
potatoes, and summer squash were being shipped from the 
Coachella Valley, and cucumbers were in full bloom. 

Crops of string beans, sweet corn, new peas, tomatoes 
and other vegetables are planted late in the summer for 
the Christmas market. In no other section of the United 
States is there such a field for market gardeners and 
farmers who understand the cultivation of vegetables, 
for the reason, that the crops mature at times when the 
market belongs exclusively to the people of this section. 

16 



Here the season is from SIX TO EIGHT WEEKS EAR- 
LIER THAN IN ANY OTHER SECTION OF CALI- 
FORNIA, and when we refer to early markets, we have in 
mind the state of California as well as all the western 
and eastern states. 




Calves Grown on Alfalfa near Mecca 



A MELON GROWER'S RECORD. Another record breaker 
is Mr. Thomas, who rented seven acres of ground 
from the Coachella Land & Water Co. on Jan- 
uary 1st, 1904. He planted five acres to can- 
taloupes, and two acres to watermelons. He shipped his 
melons through the Coachella Producers' Association and 
received checks to the amount of $1,103.34, after all ex- 
penses had been paid. He also shipped a few melons 
direct for which he received $36.75 net, making a total 
receipt of $1,140.09. He paid rent at the rate of $20.00 
per acre, spent $150.00 for labor in the field, $30.00 for 
hauling watermelons, and $18.00 for plowing and cultivat- 
ing so that he received $802.09 net as remuneration for 
his labor during the five months consumed in handling 

17 



the melon crop. This, with the exception of hauling the 
watermelons, and first plowing and cultivating, was done 
with one horse. After his melons were all harvested, Mr. 
Thomas sub-leased that seven acres and gets one-fourth 
of the crop to be taken off that same ground this same 
year. It has been all planted to corn, potatoes, tomatoes, 
cabbage, etc. As was recently said in "The Submarine :" 
"The mainstay of the Coachella Valley is the one horse 
farmer, men who know what intensive cultivation is, men 
who know that a small acreage well tilled will produce 




Flock ot Turkeys on a Coachella Valley Farm 

more in crops and put more money in their pockets, than 
thrice the acres skimmed over." 
POULTRY. The success attained by those who have taken up 
the poultry industry sounds like a story from a mining 
camp. In the summer months hens are rather dormant, 
moulting early, and finding plenty of feed in the alfalfa 
patches. Early in the fall they commence laying, and 

18 



THROUGH THE SUNNY WINTER DAYS THEY DO 
THEIR BEST, when eggs are at the highest prices. Tur- 
keys, ducks, and geese are also profitable in this section, 
and BECAUSE OF THE DRY CLIMATE ARE EASILY 
RAISED. One farmer's wife in the Valley "turned off" 
last winter over $1,300 worth of turkeys, and this year 
she will have over eight hundred turkeys to sell which 
will bring a return of over $2,000. 
CLIMATE. From September to June the climate is beyond 
compare. During the summer months the temperature 
registers high— as high as from 95 to 110 degrees F. and 
occasionally a few degrees higher, but the dryness of the 
atmosphere renders this heat more bearable, and it is 
more comfortable, than the sultry summer days experi- 
enced in the middle west or on the Atlantic seaboard. 

As was shown in the pamphlet issued by the United 
States Department of Agriculture Weather Bureau in 
1896, when the reading of the wet bulb thermometer, more 
popularly known as the "Sensible" temperature is con- 
sidered "the temperature felt by animal life may be 
many degrees below the air temperature" and "the dif- 
ference between the two temperatures depends upon the 
relative humidity in the air— the dryer the air, the lower 
the sensible temperature when compared with the air 
temperature; the damper the air, the higher the sensible 
temperature." From the Bulletin referred to we quote 
further: "In the semi-arid regions of the west the sen- 
sible temperature during the summer months often is 20 to 
30 degrees less than the air temperature, which condition 
is due to the extreme dryness of the atmosphere. In the 
more humid regions of the Eastern part of the country 
such extreme difference cannot occur. * * * While a 
higher summer temperature is characteristic of the South- 
west it is a fact long known to residents of that section, 
and somewhat imperfectly realized in other portions of 
the country, that the sensation of heat as experienced by 
animal life is not accurately measured by the ordinary 
thermometer. The sensation of temperature which we 
usually refer to the condition of the atmosphere depends 

19 




20 



not only on the temperature of the air, hut also on its 
dryness the velocity of the wind and other circumstances. 
The human organism when perspiring freely evaporates 
the moisture of its surface and thus lowers its tempera- 
ture." 

And it is a fact demonstrated by the government re- 
ports that the wet bulb thermometer will show a lower 
average temperature during the summer months at Mecca 
than at Chicago. SUNSTROKE AND HEAT PROSTRA- 
TION ARE UNKNOWN HERE. 

Like all other arid regions there is more or less wind 
in the spring months, and at times there is fine dust in 
the atmosphere due to the lack of cultivation, which is 
disagreeable, but it must be considered that there are no 
rain storms, blizzards, hurricanes, hail or other destruc- 
tive storms in this section of the country, and even when 
the wind does blow, it has no great velocity, as the flim- 
siest shacks and brush shelters withstand its force. As 
time goes on all this will be changed by cultivation of 
the soil, planting of alfalfa fields, orchards, and wind 
breaks. 



The Most Lobv Dotvn Taper on Earth 
"C>he Submarine" 

Published 76 feet below sea level, weekly, at Coachella, 
Riverside County, California. 

Prospective home seekers who are interested in the 
valley will do well to subscribe for this paper which gives 
you the news of Mecca, Thermal, Coachella, and Indio 
every week. 

Sample copies on request. 

Address "Randolph *R. Freeman, 

Publisher of "The Submarine," Coachella, Cal. 



21 




Young Fig Orchard at Mecca 

FRUITS. The future of the various fruit industries in this val- 
ley can at the present time "be only suggested. A few 
orange trees were set out by Mr. Evans of Riverside on 
his ranch near Mecca in 1903, and they have made such 
good growth, he contemplates planting out five or ten 
acres this fall. Oranges will ripen here very early in the 
season, probably as early if not earlier than in Florida cr 
other early sections. 



FIGS. A few fig trees have been planted at various points of 
the valley and have brought good returns. Mr. Allen 
Hosking sent five crates to San Francisco in May of this 
year. They brought $14.50 or $12.50 net. Crates and figs 
together weighed but 28 pounds. Every crate contained 
four dozen figs. 

22 



GRAPES. Thompson seedless grapes ripen by June 1st, soon 
followed by Muscats, Malagas, Hamburgs, Emperors, and 
other varieties. A few thousand pounds were shipped 
this year and netted the growers from five to eight cents 
per pound, and invariably, except for the Thompson seed- 
less, there was a demand for "all you can send— a car 
load per day" from the fruit agents to whom they were 
consigned. 

RAISINS. The Valley has a great future before it as a raisin 
producing country. Thompson Seedless and Muscat vines 
bear enormous crops, but so far the demand for fresh ripe 
grapes has left few to be cured for raisins. A few have 
been saved for home use and in no part of the State can 
be grown and cured better raisins. The absence of rain 
assures the crop without expense of artificial drying, and 
after picking, the trays are stacked and left so until the 
grape is perfectly cured. 




One-year old Vineyard 
23 



DATES. The United States now imports dates to the value 
of about $600,000 per annum, and this amount is exceeded 
only by the importation of two other dried fruits, namely: 
Zante Currants and Smyrna Figs. Smyrna Figs are now 
being produced in California in other sections, and will 
undoubtedly become a leading product of this' valley. * 
* * The possibilities of the culture of the date has been 
given great attention by the United States Department 
of Agriculture, and on April 28, 1904, a very complete bul- 
letin, written by Walter T. Swingle, on this culture, was 
issued by the department. Extracts from this bulletin 
are given below, and IT BEING AN OFFICIAL DOCU- 
MENT, WE BELIEVE IT WILL BRING TO THE 
MINDS OF ALL READERS ASSURANCE OF THE 
FUTURE OF THIS INDUSTRY, WHICH IS PROBA- 
BLY THE LAST GREAT DEVELOPMENT TO TAKE 
PLACE IN THE GROWING OF FRUIT IN THIS 
COUNTRY. The profits will always be enormous, but 
for those who embark in it now, there will be fortunes 
within the next ten years. 

"Doubtless within a decade date culture will be much 
extended in Arizona, and it probably will become the most 
important fruit industry in the Salton Basin in Cali- 
fornia." Page 13. 

"The date palm, as its name indicates, belongs to a 
great family of palms, and like most other members of 
this family, has a trunk which remains of the same diame- 
ter, no matter how old it may be, there being no secondary 
increase in diameter with increasing age such as occurs 
in ordinary fruit and forest trees. ' ' Page 14 and 15. 

"Now that considerable areas in the Salton Basin have 
been put under irrigation, there is at last open to our 
enterprising fruit growers a region SUPERIOR to mosit 
parts of the Sahara for date culture, in which even the 
latest and best sorts will ripen perfectly." Page 33. 

"The fruits undergo no special preparation for the 
market, but are simply sorted and packed carefully in 
boxes suitable for the retail trade. * * * They contain 
from two-thirds of a pound to eleven pounds, and are 

24 




Egyptian Date Tree sent to this Valley 14 years ago by the Department 

of Agriculture. Polinated this year for the first time by Bernard 

G. Johnson and will produce nearly 200 pounds 

of choice dates. 



especially in demand in Europe for the Christmas markets. 
The smaller boxes usually reach the larger markets of this 
country in January and sell at from thirty to forty cents 
each retail, or at the rate of forty-five to sixty cents a 
pound for the dates. The writer was assured by some 
of the largest producers in Algeria, that the supply did 
not equal the European demand, and that large American 
orders were refused, while, on the other hand, at one of 
the largest wholesale and retail groceries at San Fran- 
cisco it was said that any quantity could be sold at thirty- 
five cents a box (fifty cents a pound), if they could be 
secured before the holidays. At the same time, selected 

25 



Smyrna Figs were selling in one pound boxes for thirty 
cents. It is clear that this date has little in common with 
the sorts which reach our markets in bulk from Bassorah, 
at the head of the Persian Gulf, and from Maskat, 
Arabia. If these Deglet Noor dates could be sold for 
half what they now bring (which would still be about five 
to ten times the wholesale selling price of this sort in the 
Sahara), the consumption could be enormously increased 
in this country, as they would not compete with the com- 
mon dates, but would be used as a choice dessert fruit 
and for confectionery." Pages 34 and 35. 

"It sometimes happens that vegetables are grown under 
the fruit trees, in which case it is possible to see three 
crops occupying the soil— first, the date-palm, towering 
far above; then the fruit trees, and under them the more 
delicate and shade-loving garden vegetables." Page 44. 

"It is clear * * * * that there is less danger from rain 
to date flowers or to the ripening of fruits in the Arizona 
deserts or in the Salton Basin in California than at Biskra 
in the Algerian Sahara, where date culture is an estab- 
lished and profitable industry. Indeed, the conditions in 
the Salton Basin are most exceptionally favorable in this 
regard and are much better than at Ayata in the Sahara, 
where the Deglet Noor date is grown to perfection for 
export. ' ' Pages 57 and 58. 

"THERE CAN THEN BE NO DOUBT THAT THE 
DEGLET NOOR DATE WILL RIPEN FULLY IN THE 
SALTON BASIN, EVEN WHEN THE SEASON IS EX- 
CEPTIONALLY COOL. The importance of this demon- 
stration can scarcely be over estimated, since it renders 
it possible to establish in America the culture of this 
choice date, the most expensive of dried fruits, with 
certainty of success. ' ' Page 67. 

"There can be NO QUESTION that the Deglect Noor 
and other choice date sorts will mature here and in other 
parts of the Salton Basin." Page 69. 

(a.) "Very recently, (March, 1904) since this bulletin 
was sent to the printing office, the Department of Agricul- 

26 




in mifclffi m tJ0i 



:'C3 



Reservoir Scenes at Mecca 
27 



ture has established, in co-operation with the California 
Experiment Station, an experimental date garden in the 
Salton Basin at MECCA, California. (Mecca was called 
Walters until January, 1904, and is shown on all old maps 
and on fig. 10, p. 102.) At the same time a large number 
of offshoots of the best sorts of date-palms (including 
many of the Deglet Noor variety) were ordered from the 
principal centers of date culture in the Algerian Sahara. ' ' 
Page 110. 

"In the northern part of the Salton Basin around Indio 
and Mecca, California, THERE ARE FLOWING AR- 
TESIAN WELLS; in this and in many other respects the 
conditions of the Oued Rirh region in the Sahara are 
almost exactly reproduced. It is probable that date cul- 
ture will prove even more profitable here than in the 
Oued Rirh country, * * * * " Page 111. 

"Asparagus is found to do very well in the salty soils 
of the Oued Rirh country, and it may prove a profitable 
minor culture. * * * * Carobs can stand the heat and dry 
air of the desert very well, yielding fruit valuable for 
horse and cattle food in place of grain, and are at the same 
time very ornamental evergreen shade trees, suitable for 
street planting. ' ' Page 115. 

"It is clear, from what has preceeded in this bulletin, 
that the Salton Basin * * * * is not only the most promis- 
ing region in the United States, or in North America, for 
the culture of the best sort of dates, but that it is ACTU- 
ALLY BETTER ADAPTED FOR THIS PROFITABLE 
CULTURE than those parts of the Sahara Desert where 
the best export dates are produced. This favored region, 
though small in comparison with the vast arid areas of the 
Southwest, is nevertheless larger than any one Saharan 
oasis, probably equaling in extent all the oases in the 
western Sahara from Tripoli to Morocco, and is capable 
of producing all the dates consumed in America. Only the 
vast date plantations along the valley of the Shat-el-Arab, 
formed by the junction of the Tigris and Euphrates Rivers, 
near the head of the Persian Gulf, which furnish most of 
the great quantities of dates consumed in the United 

28 




Reservoir Scenes at Meces 



29 



States, are comparable in extent with the irrigable por- 
tion of the Salton Basin. 

"The study of the life history of the date palm has 
shown that in the Salton Basin the long hot summers, the 
very dry atmosphere, and THE ALMOST COMPLETE 
ABSENCE OF RAIN DURING THE FLOWERING AND 
RIPENING SEASONS OF THE DATE PALM REN- 
DER THE CLIMATE PARTICULARLY ADAPTED TO 
THE CULTURE OF THE CHOICE LATE-RIPENING 
SORTS, SUCH AS THE FAMOUS DEGLET NOOR. 
AT THE SAME TIME THE PRESENCE OF AN 
ABUNDANT SUPPLY OF WATER OF EXCELLENT 
QUALITY AND THE EXTREME FERTILITY OF THE 
SOIL RENDER THE CONDITIONS UNUSUALLY 
PROPITUOUS FOR THE ESTABLISHMENT OF THIS 
PROFITABLE FRUIT CULTURE." * * * 
(a) "Since the above was written, an experimental date 
garden has been established in the Salton Basin at 
Mecca." Page 122. 

This bulletin on the culture of the date can be had by 
addressing the Superintendent of Documents, Washing- 
ton, D. C. Price 20 cents. 

Mr. Bernard G. Johnson, foreman of the U. S. Agricul- 
tural Experiment Station at Mecca, visited Algeria, 
Africa, last year, and spent some months in that country, 
making a special study of date culture. He has planted 
at Mecca, on his own land, the first commercial date 
garden in America with the palms he imported last year. 
He plans to go again this year for the purpose of making 
a much larger importation. HE STATES THAT OVER 
80 PER CENT OF ALL PALMS PLANTED AT MECCA 
IN THE EXPERIMENT STATION AND HIS OWN 
GARDEN ARE GROWING AND DOING BETTER 
THAN THEY DO IN AFRICA. 

BERRIES. Strawberries, dewberries, loganberries and other 
varieties have been planted in the gardens of various set- 
tlers, and invariably have proven very satisfactory. They 
ripen of course very early in the spring, and ultimately 

30 



no doubt, this class of fruit will be raised extensively by 
those who go in for market gardening and small fruit 
culture. 




View of Thayer Bros. 55-aere Field of Alfalfa 



31 



LETTERS FROM MECCA SETTLERS 

We have addressed a number of letters to some of the 
pioneer settlers in the vicinity of Mecca, and others who 
have had extensive experience in that section, requesting 
a short history of their experience in that country, and 
the replies are given below, with assurances that all of 
these parties are responsible, and that the statements con- 
tained therein are absolutely true. 



Mecca, Cal., July 25, 1904. 
Mecca Land Company, 

Gentlemen: In answer to your letter, would say that 
we are certain that this section has many advantages. 

It is the best place we know of for asthmatics, also those 
afflicted with kidney troubles, rheumatism, or malaria, all 
of which are cured or kept in check here, making life 
better worth the living. 

"We grew a single stool of barley of 762 straws, from a 
single tiny seed, thus illustrating the wonderful fertility 
of this soil. The abundance of water, always on tap, with 
no watertender to dole it out to' you, makes it a pleasure 
to farm here. The sun shines nearly every day. 

Poultry are a great success, especially turkeys, because 
of the dry climate. 

Each succeeding crop grows ranker than the last, as the 
already rich soil responds readily to cultivation. We are 
well satisfied that we located here. Cheap land and plenty 
of water should induce homeseekers to make a pilgrimage 
to Mecca, and faith will come with investigation. 
Yours truly, 

BRAUCKMAN BROS. 



Mecca, Cal., August 5, 1904. 
Mecca Land Company, 

Gentlemen: Answering your request, would say we 
came to the Valley two years ago from Boston, Mass., and 
had no previous experience in ranching. We bought 160 
acres of land, and now have 55 acres in alfalfa; 7 acres in 
asparagus; 10 acres in cantaloupes, and 3 acres in grapes. 
The Valley having such a dry atmosphere is especially 
adapted to asparagus culture; it being free from rust and 
other diseases so common to it in other sections of the 
country. 

32 



The early spring, and immense supply of pure artesian 
water makes it an ideal country for alfalfa. We get eight 
to ten cuttings a year, each of which yields from one to 
one and one-half tons per acre. This is the finest stock 
feed to be found anywhere; our cows, hogs, and poultry 
fed on it, being in first-class condition. 

We are highly pleased with our results, and know of no 
other place we could have done so well. 

Yours truly, 

THAYER BROS. 



Mecca, Cal., August 1, 1804. 
Mecca Land Company, 

Gentlemen: In reply to your letter, would say that for 
anyone looking for a location and a home, where a quick 
and satisfactory profit can be realized, I know of no better 
place than the Coachella Valley. Five hundred and fifty 
crates of cantaloupes were marketed off of three acres of 
my land, netting me $1.35 per crate. Climatic conditions 
are such that all products are on the market several weeks 
earlier than other localities, thus bringing a fancy price. 
The water is pure, and the climate healthful. To home 
seekers I say investigate, and I am sure you will be pleased 
as myself and many others have been. 

Yours truly, 

J. ALBERT POTTER. 



Mecca, Cal., July 30, 1904. 
Mecca Land Company, 

Gentlemen: In answer to your request that I should 
give my "impressions of the valley," I will say that I came 
here nearly a year ago. I have found the climate exceed- 
ingly beneficial to my constitution. Being a soldier of the 
Civil War, I was troubled in the East with heart palpita- 
tion, shortness of breath, and extreme nervousness. I 
came here seeking the heavy, pure, dry atmosphere. The 
result was that I have been able to do more work than I 
had been able to perform in any equal length of time in 
thirty years. My brother, who is afflicted with asthma, 
has found it equally beneficial to him. 

The soil here is very fertile, and our artesian water as 
pure and wholesome as can be found on the face of the 
earth. 

Did time and space permit, I could fill quite a book with 
details, showing the many inducements and attractions this 
valley has to offer to all who are seeking either health, 
home or fortune. Respectfully, 

D. BOND. 

33 



University of California agricultural experiment 

COLLEGE OF AGRICULTURE station 

BERKELEY, CiLIKORNIi E. W . HILOARD. DIRECTOR 



Ontario, July 20, 1904. 
Mecca Land Company, 

Gentlemen: Answering your questions as to my opinion 
of the future of your valley, I will say that I was not very 
favorably impressed with it after my first and second 
visits there, but after having made frequent visits, and 
having seen your crops mature, my faith was so much 
strengthened in its bright future, that I secured 80 acres of 
land southeast of Mecca, and intend to develop it and 
plant it at once. 

I recently overheard a conversation among fruit commis- 
sion men who were just returning from your valley where 
they had been to buy early melons and grapes. They ex- 
pressed the belief that the growers of early vegetables and 
fruits in your valley, had an unlimited market up to the 
period when you have made your heaviest shipments, and 
that without competition. 

There can be no doubt but that our valley has a pros- 
perous future before it. If my land nets me half per acre 
what the average has been per acre in «ne valley during 
the past two years, I will be more than satisfied. 

Very truly yours, 

J. W. MILLS, 

Superintendent Southern California Agricultural Experi- 
ment Sub-Station. 



34 




The above photograph is that of a one year old Malaga 
grape vine on the ranch of C. C. Abbey, which produced 
this year ten large bunches of grapes. Mr. Abbey has 
been a leader in the planting of grapes and received, 
from about three-fourths of an acre of Malaga grapes, 
this year a little over Seventy-five Dollars net. This, too, 
the first year after planting the vines. Where else can 
such a result be shown? 



35 




1. S. P. R. Agent's Residence at Mecca 

2. First Store Building at Mecca 

3. Railroad Section Foreman's Residence at Mecca. 



36 



COWNSITE OF MECCA. That the Mecca Land Company has 
faith in this country is evidenced by its expenditure of 
money in the development of the townsite. There is not 
less than from twenty to thirty thousand acres of the 
finest gardening soil in the United States tributary to 
this point, besides a very rich mineral country, lying to 
the north and east, and which is on the eve of great de- 
velopment. 

Forty acres has been surveyed into town lots adjoining 
the Mecca Railroad Station. The corner lots have a 
frontage of forty feet, inside lots fifty feet, and all are 
135 feet in depth. A domestic water system has been 
installed on the principal streets and the purest artesian 
water is piped to all lots offered for sale. The two main 
streets are 80 feet wide, others 60 feet, and special in- 
ducements are being made to those who will purchase 
property and improve same in accordance with the build- 
ing restrictions. Villa lots in one, five, and ten acre 
tracts are also offered for sale within a half mile of the 
Railroad station. 

The towns of Mecca, Thermal, Coachella and Indio 
are all on the main line of the Southern Pacific Rail- 
road, and are connected by a telephone system. 

Substantial buildings have been erected and building 
restrictions have been imposed upon all property offered 
for sale. The new store building, just completed, is built 
of solid concrete with cement floors. On the front, a fine 
shaded porch ten feet wide, with its mission arches and 
columns, gives invitation at the rest hour. It is called 
the "Bazaar" and as its name implies is an emporium 
where all kinds of merchandise is kept for sale. 

The south wing of a liberally planned hotel, "THE 
CARAVANSARY," has also been constructed, and is 
a model of adobe construction. It contains a dining 
room, 18x22 feet with handsome fireplace and win- 
dow seats, parlor, kitchen, lavatory, pantries and 
other rooms. The broad piazzas, dining room, and 
kitchen are like the store in having cement floors, and a 

37 




'The Bazaar" — The New Store at Mecca 



broad flat roof from 2y 2 to 5 feet above the ceilings with 
ample ventilation makes it a very cool and pleasant 
structure. Realizing that seekers after health are among 
our very best colonists in California, special provision for 
the comfort of those who need a pure, dry atmosphere is 
being prepared. A number of tent-houses will be built 
on the hotel grounds for sleeping accommodations. Al- 
though the Mecca Land Company is offering the hotel 
property, which occupies one of the best corners in the 
town for sale, this plan will not be interfered with. 

GOOD OPENINGS ARE BEING DEVELOPED FOR 
A HARDWARE STORE, LUMBER YARD, IMPLE- 
MENT AGENCY, MEAT MARKET, BLACKSMITH 
SHOP, and OTHER PIONEER BUSINESSES. 

This section of the country is destined to be divided 
into very small farms, the largest probably not ex- 
ceeding from 10 to 40 acres. Those who have suc- 
ceeded best are those who have improved small tracts 
of land. Ten acres of land devoted to fruit, melons 
and garden truck will keep one man very busy. 

38 



A few carpenters, plasterers, brick masons and other 
mechanics who are inclined to go into the coun- 
try, and who have a taste for gardening could 
find plenty of employment at their trade during the 
slack season, as such help is exceedingly scarce in the 
valley. Farmers who have teams can earn good wages 
working on non-resident claim-holders' places whenever 
able to leave their own work for a few days. During 
the melon and fruit season there is work for every man, 
woman and child in the valley and families often earn 
from $5.00 to $15.00 per day in this way. More farm 
laborers are wanted and good men can earn from $35.00 
to $50.00 per month besides their board. 

ROADS. The roads so far constructed in the valley are 
built upon novel lines, in this, that instead of building 
them with a crown to shed the water, they are made in the 
form of two parallel ditches about five feet wide and a few 
inches deep. These are irrigated alternately and after 
drying out sufficiently, form a most comfortable surface 
for driving over. 

ICE PLANT. A corporation was recently organized to con- 
struct an ice and cold storage plant and creamery in the 
valley, and before next summer it will be in operation. 

SCHOOLS. A new school building was built last year and a 
good graded school is maintained in the town of Mecca. 

There is another school building at the village of Ther- 
mal, six miles northwest of Mecca, and within a year or 
two there will be another district created southwest of 
these two points. 

The people who are settling up the country are a well 
educated, and of a highly moral class. 

Riverside County is justly famous in the State of 
California for the high moral status of its citizens and 
for many years past this county has been, and doubtless 
will continue to be, known as a "Prohibition County." 
No license for the sale of intoxicating liquors is issued 
within this county, and in addition, as a matter of busi- 
ness policy, the owners of the townsite of Mecca insert 

39 




The First Hotel at Mecca 




"The Caravansary" — New Hotel at Mecca 
40 




Public School House at Mecca 



clauses in all deeds which is intended to forever prevent 
the sale of intoxicating liquors within its boundaries. 

HEALTH RESORT. Mecca is destined to become a fam- 
ous winter resort as it lies just on the edge 
of the Colorado Desert, and the dry climate af- 
fords great relief to persons suffering from all 
pulmonary and asthmatic diseases. Although hundreds 
came here primarily for their health, there is not a doc- 
tor in the valley. Frank Pixtley wrote of this valley 
years ago and said: "IN THE HEART OF THE COLO- 
RADO DESERT THERE IS AN OASIS, WHICH IN 
OUR OPINION IS THE SANITARIUM OF THE 
EARTH." HERE YOU ARE ASSURED OF LITTLE 
RAIN, NO FOG, CONSTANT SUNSHINE, AND EVEN 
DURING THE HOT DAYS OF SUMMER THE NIGHTS 
ARE COOL AND YOU CAN GET TO THE MOUNTAINS 
OR SEA COAST IN A FEW HOURS. 

The late E. McD. Johnstone, in his inimitable "West 
by South," says of this section: 

41 



"Under the shoulder of San Jacinto there lies a coun- 
"try that some of these days will he looked upon as a 
"wonder in this land of wonders. It lies in such a posi- 
tion, and is in every way so picturesquely and beauti- 
' ' fully environed as to warrant the prediction that it will 
"one day become the greatest sanatorium in America." 

And Enock Knight, in the "Christian Register," says: 
"There is no spot on earth where an invalid can have 
"so much sunshine and warmth as he can have here, by 
"making his winter sojourn along the rim of the Colorado 
"Desert. It is a region little known to the outside 
"world. It is a low level where the lungs are filled 
"without effort. Here one can bask, if not actually 
"bake, in the sun the winter long." 

The average annual rain fall for years past at Mecca 
has been a little less than one inch. Because of the desert 
environment, the warm temperature during the winter 
months, total absence of humidity, and constant sunshine, 
many physicians are recommending patients to seek con- 
ditions found here. The ability to secure a greater 
amount of oxygen for a lesser quantity of air at or below 
sea level has been found to be of very great benefit to 
many persons who are seeking relief from the higher alti- 
tudes in the West and the winter climate of the northern 
and eastern states. 

As an illustration of the possibilities of this section as 
a winter health resort, the writer was surprised to learn 
recently of a number of large hotels which have been 
built at Biskra, which is in Algiers, Africa, about 300 
miles south of the Mediterranean Sea, and just on the 
borders of the Sahara Desert. Hundreds of sufferers 
from all over Europe spend their winters there because of 
the absence of rain and damp weather. People who are 
sufferers from pulmonary troubles will eventually learn 
that this climate will afford them greater relief and com- 
fort during the winter months than they can possibly se- 
cure at any of the California resorts on the western slope 
of the Sierras or elsewhere within the United States. 

42 



FIEST IMPRESSIONS. Strangers, and especially those com- 
ing from the eastern states, are liable to draw imaginary 
pictures of a new community, and a country just opened 
up for development such as has been described herein. 
Deception always brings disappointment and disaster. 
There are no statements of fact or representations made 
in this booklet, which can not be verified, but do not 
come to Mecca expecting to find a city with rows of 
homes and stately business blocks. Do not come expect- 
ing to find all of the views pictured herein within a 
stone's throw of the railroad depot, and DO NOT THINK 
THAT THERE IS NOTHING ELSE TO BE SEEN OR 
DESCRIBED other than that which has been. The 
alfalfa fields on the Sternberg place, and the splendid 
farms of Messrs. Harris, Brauckman, Francis, Leap, 
Covington, McGill, Bond, and others could furnish many 
illustrations of equal merit to those we have secured. 

Lots in the townsite of Mecca have just been put on 
the market and all that has been accomplished there has 
been done in the year of 1904. 

The early history of the cities of Riverside, Redlands, 
Long Beach, Pasadena and many other towns of Southern 
California promised less in many respects than that of 
Mecca. The Coachella Valley is destined to be the most 
famous early market gardening section in the United 
States. Within a few years the Pala Verde country, the 
Yuma country, and the Imperial country will be settled 
and a new empire established between the Colorado River 
and the San Bernardino Mountains. New counties will be 
formed, new centers of population built up, and by reason 
of her abundant water supply, her close proximity to the 
mining country on the north, the immense acreage of 
arable lands to the east, south and west, and her many 
other advantages, THERE IS ASSURANCE OF 'A 
GREAT FUTURE FOR THIS NEW CITY ON THE 
SITE OF THE ANCIENT SEA, THIS OASIS ON THE 
RIM OF THE DESERT, MECCA. 

43 




ARTESIAN WELLS NEAR MECCA 

1. C. B. Smith's 3. D. Bond's 

2. M. H. Flint's 



4. U. S. Experiment Station 



44 



FARM LANDS. The Mecca Land Company is not only thd 
owner of land in this vicinity, but acts as the agent for 
non-resident owners in making improvements and selling 
lands. Several non-resident owners of desert land entries 
are offering to sell a relinquishment to a part of their 
holdings and at very reasonable figures, to those who will 
make improvements. These can be had for from $2.50 
per acre and upward. 

The first subdivision of farm land to be offered by the 
Company is in section 16, which lies one mile east of 
Mecca, near the center of which the UNITED STATES 
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE HAS RECENTLY 
ESTABLISHED UNDER THE DIRECTION OF PRO- 
FESSOR A. V. STUBENRAUCH, AN EXPERIMENT 
STATION AND DATE PALM GARDEN. This Station 
has already been granted an appropriation of $5,000.00 by 
Congress, and as the land with the artesian well on it was 
given by the Mecca Land Company to the Government 
without cost, this amount of money has been expended in 
making improvements. THE GARDEN HAS BEEN 
ESTABLISHED FOR THE PURPOSE OF TESTING 
THE DIFFERENT VARIETIES OF COMMERCIAL 
DATES, FIGS, GRAPES, MELONS, AND OTHER 
FRUITS, AND WILL UNDOUBTEDLY BE THE 
GREATEST HORTICULTURAL ATTRACTION UNDER 
GOVERNMENT AUSPICES IN THE GREAT SOUTH- 
WEST. The land in this section will be sold in tracts as 
small as ten acres each, and those who acquire property 
in this location have the assurance THAT THEY ARE 
BUYING RIGHT, AS THE SOIL AND WATER WERE 
SUBJECTED TO VERY SEARCHING EXAMINATION 
BY THE FEDERAL AUTHORITIES BEFORE THE 
LOCATION WAS DECIDED UPON. An analysis of soil 
and water is set forth herein on pages 7 and 10. 

TERMS. The Mecca Land Co. will contract to sell land on 
receipt of one-fifth of the purchase price, the balance to 
be payable in four equal yearly installments with interest 
at 7 per cent net on deferred payments. Men and womra 

45 



For a limited number of persons who wish to secure 
a home in the country and are not quite ready to make 
the change, a special plan and contract has been devised 
whereby they can select a tract of 10 or 20 acres (or have 
it selected by others), MAKE A SMALL PAYMENT 
DOWN AND THEREAFTER REMIT MONTHLY IN- 
STALLMENTS UNTIL THEY HAVE THEIR HOME 
PAID FOR. 

Actual settlers, however, are preferred. Men and 
women who will co-operate in developing this agricultural 
mine of wealth are wanted and practical assistance will 
be accorded people of industry and integrity. WE HAVE 
GOOD AIR, GOOD SOIL, GOOD WATER, GOOD 
SCHOOLS, GOOD RAILROAD ACCOMMODATIONS, 
AND A CLIMATE WHERE SICKNESS IS PRACTIC- 
ALLY UNKNOWN. COME AND TALK WITH THE 
PEOPLE WHO ARE LIVING HERE. Excursions from 
points in Southern California will be arranged. CON- 
SIDER WHAT SUCH LAND, AS IS HEREIN DE- 
SCRIBED, IS REALLY WORTH. You can buy the 
choicest and best land for less than it will produce the 
first year now. A very little will make you a living- 
more will make you rich. If you are interested, write 

MECCA LAND CO., MECCA, CAL. 



46 



The people who have settled in this valley are 
enthusiastic over its prospects and loyal to its interests, 
A promotion committee has been formed by the 
residents of Mecca and vicinity, and anyone who is 
interested in knowing more about this section is urged 
to write and ask for any information desired. The 
secretary and members generally will consider it a 
pleasure to respond to inquiries regarding the climate, 
products, soil, water supply, or any other subject that 
prospective home seekers wish to be informed of. 
Address — 

H. J. ROGERS, 
Secretary Mecca Promotion Committee, 

Mecca, California. 



Partial List, of Members 



P. O. ADDRESS— MECCA 



C. E. Harris, 
E. Branckman, 
H. J. Sternberg, 
C. Brauckman, 
J. A. Potter, 



E. B. Thayer, 
E. L. Hill, 
J. V. Date, 
B. G. Johnson, 
E. A. Francis, 



F. H. Thayer, 
D. A. Leap, 
H. J. Kogers, 
D. Bond, 
J. F. Manning. 



47 




Views of WeUs, Egyptian Corn and Orange Trees on the 
Ranches of the Evans-Peters Syndicate near Mecca 



48 



Mecca 



Is on the Main Line of and is reached only by t*he 

Southern Pacific 

Pullman Standard and Tourist. Sleepers at. Reduced 
Rates, daily between all points 

East* and West* 

Choice of Many Routes 

Reaching from the northern 
boundary of the United States 
to the Atlantic Coast 

Los Angeles Office 261 South Spring Street 

G. A. PARKYNS, N. R.. MARTIN, 

Asit. Oen. Fgt. and Pass. Agt. Dist. Pass. Agt. 



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